The country’s oldest known living veteran, Emma Didlake, died Sunday, just one month after being honored by President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. Didlake was 110-years-old.
“Emma Didlake served her country with distinction and honor, a true trailblazer for generations of Americans who have sacrificed so much for their country,” Obama said in a statement released Monday. “I was humbled and grateful to welcome Emma to the White House last month, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to Emma’s family, friends, and everyone she inspired over her long and quintessentially American life.”
Didlake’s granddaughter, Marilyn Horne, told the San Antonio Express-News that the World War II veteran fell ill Sunday morning and died after complaining she was feeling tired.
“It was a month ago today that we went to the White House,” Horne told the media outlet. “I think she felt she had accomplished everything and could take her rest.”